Keith Earls is not giving up on playing a part in Sunday's World Cup collision with Scotland.
The flying Ireland winger is only resuming full training today and so it could be next week before he sees action in Japan, but Earls is ready to fight for selection.
Jordan Larmour or Andrew Conway are ready to step in if the 31-year-old Munster star doesn't make it.
"I had a good running session on Monday, ran again on Wednesday," explained Earls.
"We have another session on Friday, so hopefully back at it fully and can put my hand up for selection."
Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell said earlier that Earls and back three colleague Rob Kearney have some "protocols" to go through before being passed fit for selection.
"It's just ticking the boxes," Earls commented. "Some speed, some agility work, trying to get distance through the legs again.
"You've got to warm up it up, the body getting used to doing the exercises again so that the injury doesn't happen.
"I've ticked them all perfectly so far and I'm looking forward to getting back out with the boys on Friday.
"Hopefully I'm there on Sunday."
Earls had limped off in his first game and Ireland's last of the warm-up series, the home win over Wales at the Aviva Stadium almost two weeks ago now.
Naturally he feared the worst.
"I suppose it goes through your head a small bit when you have to come off the field," Earls admitted.
"I think I know my body quite well. I felt something, thankfully it wasn't as severe. It was out of my control anyway but I'm delighted to be here."
There had been some confusion over whether he had suffered tendonitis in the knee or a quad injury.
"It's all connected, quad tendon, patella tendon," Earls said. "I suppose a fella my age, these things creep up on top of me but that's the sport I'm in.
"Tendons like to be worked so I have a lot of rehab done over the last couple of days.
"The more work you get through, the better they feel. Especially with all the travel and everything, they feel great, so I'm happy."
However he admits it's a "bittersweet" feeling to be away from home and his two daughters, Ella-May and Laurie
"Hopefully, we're away for another couple of weeks, but it's bittersweet," said the Moyross man.
"My wife is giving out to me, I keep ruining the morning routine when she's trying to get them ready for school and I'm there looking to have the chats!
"Yeah, it's very tough, we're human and we're fathers, we're sons, we're brothers.
"It can be tough being away but I think we're well able to look after ourselves and have the craic as well".
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